The expenses involved in equipping and operating a farm add up quickly, which is where AgFirst Farm Credit Bank comes in. AgFirst is one of a half-dozen members of the Farm Credit System, a federally chartered network of agricultural and rural lending cooperatives. Boasting $30 billion in assets, the bank provides financing to 19 farmer-owned agricultural credit associations. The associations in turn offer mortgages and loans to some 80,000 farmers, agribusinesses, and rural homeowners through 280 branches in 15 eastern states and Puerto Rico. They also offer crop insurance, credit-related life insurance, and financial planning services. Instead of accepting deposits, AgFirst raises money by selling bonds and notes on the capital markets.